Wimshurst Machine

Materials:

  1. Wimshurst Machine

  2. globes

    1. crocodile wires

    2. balancing axial

    3. doll hair

    4. bell and stand

How it works:

What is the physics behind it?:

    1. Pull apart electrodes about two inches.

    2. You rotate the handle (no specific direction), spinning the wheels.

    3. Observe.

    4. Neutralize electrodes.

The machine is powered mechanically through a belt and pulley (a) that propel the two parallel spinning plastic wheels (b). The wheels spin in opposite directions. On the wheels are small metal plates (c) that create charges. When a charge begins on one of the plates, the charge lines up with one of the double-end brushes (d) and induces a opposite charges on each side of the brush where the charges are collected on the collecting combs that warp around the machine, storing the energy inside of the two leyden jars (e). This happens each time the brush touches one of the small metal plates. Soon the charges build up very high voltage through the electrodes (f), creating a electrical discharge.

This machine has the capability of running many operations solely on electrostatic electricity - mechanical energy.